Nottingham Forest welcomes Ipswich Town to the City Ground, where Kieran McKenna will aim to capitalize on Forest's recent struggles.
John Gibson Nov 27
Nottingham Forest hosts Ipswich Town at the City Ground in what promises to be a compelling encounter between two teams with contrasting aspirations this season. Under Nuno Espírito Santo, Forest has enjoyed an excellent campaign, sitting in the final European qualification spot. With 19 points from 12 games, they are poised for a potential berth in the UEFA Europa Conference League. Their defensive solidity has been a highlight, with only 13 goals conceded, placing them alongside Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in boasting the league's third-best defensive record.
However, Forest's sparkling form from October has waned in recent weeks, with back-to-back losses against Arsenal and Newcastle United dampening their momentum. A victory against Ipswich could reignite their push for the top six, contingent on Tottenham dropping points against Fulham.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town has been embroiled in the relegation battle but has shown signs of resurgence under Kieran McKenna. Early-season struggles gave way to more positive results, including a morale-boosting win against Tottenham Hotspur. With four points from their last two matches, Ipswich is building momentum. A win could lift them out of the relegation zone, or even a draw might suffice if Wolves falter against Bournemouth.
History favors Nottingham Forest in this fixture. The Reds are unbeaten in their last six matches against Ipswich, who have failed to secure a clean sheet in those encounters. Notably, Ipswich has not beaten Forest at the City Ground in the 21st century, with the hosts winning the last three meetings on home soil. The most recent clash, however, ended in a 1-1 draw back in 2019.
Forest has been a strong contender this season, ranking sixth in the Premier League form table. Yet, their home performances have been inconsistent, with two wins, two draws, and two losses in six matches at the City Ground. Their most recent home outing saw them fall 3-1 to Newcastle United despite an early goal from Murillo. A lackluster second-half performance allowed Newcastle to dominate, with goals from Alexander Isak, Joelinton, and Harvey Barnes sealing the win.
Ipswich has faced significant challenges away from home, with just one win all season. Their average of 0.83 points per game on the road is indicative of their struggles, though their victory over Tottenham showcased their potential. In that match, Sammie Szmodics and Liam Delap provided crucial goals to secure three points. Their last game, a 0-0 draw against Manchester United, highlighted their defensive improvement but also revealed their inability to capitalize on opportunities.
Both teams come into this game with contrasting trajectories. Forest is looking to end a two-game losing streak, while Ipswich is unbeaten in three and gaining confidence. Nottingham Forest has a knack for scoring first, having done so in five of their last six games, while Ipswich tends to concede early, as seen against Manchester United.
Goals are likely in this fixture, as Ipswich's matches have seen both teams score in seven of their last eight games. The Tractor Boys’ defensive frailties are evident, having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six meetings against Forest.
With Forest aiming to steady their form and Ipswich seeking to maintain their upward trajectory, this match could end in a tightly contested draw. A 1-1 result seems the most probable outcome, with both sides finding the net but unable to secure all three points.
